Can Learning Centers Assist Men with Educational Deficiencies Who Are Incarcerated and Unable to Attend Formal School?

Hayball, Keith W.

The purpose of this practicum was to determine whether or not learning centers could help men with educational deficiencies, who were incarcerated and unable to attend formal school. Learning centers were activated and found to be an effective alternative to formal school in meeting inmate educational deficiencies, both at the elementary and secondary levels. Subsequent investigation showed that learning centers, operated on a student voluntary, informal, drop-in basis, could help these men correct or upgrade their educational deficiencies without causing their key prison work assignment to suffer as a consequence. Men with critical educational deficiencies, although referred to the learning centers, neglected to make up their deficiencies. These men for the most part failed to follow through on their own to voluntarily enroll and complete their educational objectives, as outlined by the prison's classification committee. (Author)